How prenatal alcohol exposure affects hearing in mice
Official title: Cellular mechanisms of auditory processing deficits in a mouse model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-11091611 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol during pregnancy might affect hearing in baby mice, helping us understand the brain changes that can lead to hearing problems in kids with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | May 17, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $343,931 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA031026-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091611 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who have been exposed to alcohol in utero and exhibit auditory processing challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy or do not exhibit auditory processing deficits may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of alcohol exposure during pregnancy on auditory processing deficits in a mouse model. By examining the central auditory pathway, the study aims to identify specific deficits in brain structures and cells that are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. The researchers will analyze the functionality of auditory processing and the role of certain types of neurons in the auditory system. This work seeks to uncover the cellular mechanisms that lead to hearing impairments associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a better understanding of auditory processing deficits in children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure, potentially informing future interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding the cellular mechanisms of auditory processing can lead to significant insights, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ragunathan, Padmashri — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ragunathan, Padmashri
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Cellular mechanisms shaping fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
This NIH grant studies how alcohol exposure before birth damages development at the cellular level, with potential to improve understanding and care for individuals affected by FASD.
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Web tools to screen children for effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
This project uses online tools to check children ages 6–17 for physical, thinking, and behavior signs linked to prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Choline Genetics and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Children
This study looks at how genetic differences in choline metabolism affect cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with prenatal alcohol exposure who may benefit from choline supplementation.
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Data coordination for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders research
A national collaboration coordinates data and sharing to help understand and improve care for children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD.
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Improved FASD screening for kids using BRAIN-online in Spanish
A web-based, Spanish-enabled screening tool helps identify signs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in children to guide further evaluation and support.
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How prenatal alcohol exposure harms hearing development
Researchers are looking at how alcohol exposure during pregnancy changes the brain cells that help process sound in mice, to better understand hearing problems in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.